Four nations · four systems

Start with the nation where you work.

GMC standards are UK-wide, but health-system structures, employment contracts, pay circulars, job-planning language and workforce support are not. This centre makes the differences visible before they become mistakes.

Compare SAS Charters Contracts programme

Choose a jurisdiction

Nation-specific starting points

Select the place governing the post—not the place where a policy happened to be found online.

01 · NHS in England

England

Use English national terms, NHS Employers resources and local trust policies. England does not have a separate centre here because the website’s general contract and career guides already use clearly labelled English sources.

Open the employment programme →02 · NHS Scotland

Scotland

Scottish contracts, pay decisions, territorial boards, NES development support and the all-Scotland Specialty Doctor to Specialist regrading policy.

Open the Scotland centre →03 · NHS Wales

Wales

Welsh contracts and sessions, health boards, HEIW support and the all-Wales Specialty Doctor to Specialist progression route.

Open the Wales centre →04 · Health and Social Care

Northern Ireland

HSC structures, Northern Ireland contract documents, pay circulars, NIMDTA development support and the Northern Ireland SAS Charter.

Open the Northern Ireland centre →

What changes by nation?

Use the right document set

QuestionWhy the nation matters

Who employs and plans services?Trust, board and commissioning structures differ. Northern Ireland integrates health and social care; Welsh health boards both plan and provide many services.

Which contract applies?SAS terms share common origins but national versions, amendments and implementation arrangements differ. Local and legacy contracts add another layer.

What is current pay?Each administration publishes or implements its own award and circular. A UK headline does not prove the amount or payment date in a particular nation.

How is work job planned?The contract wording, unit of work, SPA expectations, mediation and appeal route must be taken from the applicable national terms.

Where is development support?NHS England regional arrangements, NES, HEIW and NIMDTA operate different programmes and funding routes.

Can I progress to Specialist grade?The grade is distinct from Specialist Register entry. Scotland and Wales have their own employer regrading policies; other routes and vacancies differ.

Editorial rule

UK-wide does not mean identical

Every national page identifies the source and review date. Always confirm the current circular, contract and local procedure before acting on an individual employment decision.